Korean Kanakaraju Is a Non-Stop Laugh Riot with a Challenging Dual Role – Varun Tej
Mega Prince Varun Tej is all set to entertain audiences with ‘Korean Kanakaraju’, a horror-comedy packed with supernatural elements, hilarious moments, and commercial entertainment. Directed by Merlapaka Gandhi and produced jointly by UV Creations and First Frame Entertainment, the film is gearing up for a grand worldwide theatrical release on August 7, with special premieres across the Telugu states on August 6. Riding high on strong advance bookings, Varun Tej interacted with the media and shared exciting insights about the film, his character, and the overwhelming response ahead of its release.
“I Couldn’t Stop Laughing While Listening to the Story”
Speaking about what attracted him to the project, Varun Tej said the film’s entertainment factor immediately won him over.
“From the moment Gandhi narrated the story, I kept laughing throughout. I always listen to scripts as an audience first. After doing several serious and action-oriented films post-pandemic, I wanted to make a wholesome entertainer that lets audiences relax and laugh for two-and-a-half hours. That’s exactly why I chose Korean Kanakaraju.”
A Complete Commercial Entertainer
Varun believes actors should never be restricted by stereotypes.
“People often think tall heroes shouldn’t do comedy, but I completely disagree. If the character is written well, comedy works beautifully. Korean Kanakaraju perfectly balances humor with action, making it a complete commercial entertainer.”
Strong Pre-Bookings Boost Confidence
The actor expressed happiness over the tremendous response to the film’s advance bookings.
“We completed shooting well in advance, giving us enough time for post-production. Everyone, including director Gandhi, Ritika Nayak, and Satya, treated this film as their own during promotions. The teaser and trailer convinced audiences to watch the film, and that excitement is clearly reflected in the bookings.”
Innovative Promotions Worked
Varun emphasized that promotions today need to connect directly with the film’s content.
“Some people felt the trailer revealed too much, but our intention was to prepare audiences for the kind of entertainer they’re about to watch. We wanted everyone to know that this is a full-fledged comedy entertainer, and our promotional campaign reflected that.”
Chemistry with Satya
The actor shared that his on-screen chemistry with comedian Satya will be one of the film’s biggest highlights.
“This is our third film together, and we’ve built a great rapport over the years. Satya is not just a comedian but also a wonderful actor. We both worked extensively on our Rayalaseema dialect and comedy timing. I believe audiences will thoroughly enjoy our chemistry.”
Learning Korean Was an Exciting Experience
Varun enjoyed preparing for the unique aspects of his character.
“I love learning new things. That’s one of the reasons I became an actor. Every new role allows me to live a different life. My goal is always to disappear into the character so audiences see only the role, not me.”
Playing Two Different Dimensions
One of the biggest attractions of Korean Kanakaraju is Varun’s dual-dimensional character.
“As an actor, this role gave me immense satisfaction. Portraying two completely different body languages and mindsets was both challenging and rewarding. I wanted audiences to see only Kanakaraju on screen, not Varun Tej.”
Mastering the Rayalaseema Dialect
Varun admitted that the regional dialect required dedicated preparation.
“Director Merlapaka Gandhi grew up in Rayalaseema, so the dialect came naturally to him. For me, it was completely new, so I spent considerable time practicing until I became comfortable.”
No Connection with ‘OG’
Addressing comparisons with the recently released ‘OG’ trailer, Varun clarified that the similarities end with the East Asian influence.
“Since OG has a Japanese touch, some people may have drawn comparisons. But our film has absolutely no connection with OG. They’re entirely different films.”
Creating the Korean Look
The actor also revealed the effort that went into designing his Korean-inspired appearance.
“We carefully planned the character’s styling. I even coloured my hair for the first time to achieve an authentic Korean look. Interestingly, when we visited Korea, I saw many people with similar hairstyles.”
Thaman’s Music Elevates the Film
Varun praised music director Thaman for delivering a powerful soundtrack and background score.
“The transformation of my character from a mass man in Penugonda to someone influenced by Korean culture had to be reflected musically. Thaman accepted it as a challenge, and his background score has come out brilliantly. Audiences will experience it best in theatres.”
Praise for Ritika Nayak
Speaking about his co-star, Varun said:
“Ritika Nayak is a talented actress who worked extremely hard for this film. She has also been very supportive during promotions, and the role suits her perfectly.”
Balancing Work and Family
Varun also opened up about life after becoming a father.
“Since there wasn’t much shooting after my son was born, I spent a lot of time at home. Whenever I’m not working, I prefer being with my family. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is very important.”
Upcoming Sports Drama ‘Bari’
Sharing details about his next project, Varun revealed that ‘Bari’ is currently in pre-production.
“It’s a sports-based film centred around volleyball, a sport I’ve loved since childhood. My father will also play an important role in the film. I’ve always wanted to share screen space with him, and Bari is finally making that dream come true.”
“A Non-Stop Laugh Riot”
Concluding the interaction, Varun Tej expressed confidence that ‘Korean Kanakaraju’ will leave audiences thoroughly entertained.
“Korean Kanakaraju is a non-stop fun entertainer that will keep audiences laughing throughout. It has a tight screenplay, engaging performances, and complete entertainment. The response from overseas and advance bookings has been overwhelming, and I’m confident audiences everywhere will enjoy the film.”
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